Tire weight applying apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for facilitating the installation of balance correction weights on a wheel or a tire/wheel assebly that includes a tire handling mechanism that is operative to move a wheel or tire/wheel assembly along a path from a wheel receiving position to a wheel presenting position where a balance correcting weight is installed at a predetermined location on the wheel. An operator station supports an operator in a confronting relationship with the wheel as it is conveyed by the handling mechanism. The operator station is arranged such that when an operator is facing a wheel located at the tire presenting position, the operator is generally located in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the wheel as it moves from the receiving position to the presenting position. A tire/wheel handling mechanism includes a pair of grippers for engaging the wheel (or the tire in a tire/wheel assembly) and is rotatable about a lateral axis. The handling mechanism also includes a tire rotating device for rotating the tire within the grippers about its rotational axis. The apparatus and method enables a wheel or tire/wheel assembly to be presented to a weight installing operator in a preferred orientation and to present a location on the wheel where a corrective weight is to be installed in close proximity to the operator whereby installation of a corrective weight is greatly facilitated. Preferences for a given operator can be stored so that when the wheel is at the tire presenting position it is oriented and positioned in accordance with the operator&#39;s preferences. A light source is used to illuminate or indicate a location on the wheel where the corrective weight is to be installed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the balancing of tire/wheel assemblies and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for facilitating the installation of wheel weights on a tire/wheel assembly to correct an imbalance condition.

BACKGROUND ART

Tire/wheel assemblies are typically balanced by vehicle manufacturers prior to the installation of the tire assemblies on the vehicle. Equipment for testing the balance of tire/wheel assemblies is currently available. These testing machines generally comprise a spindle that rotates the tire/wheel assembly. The spindle is coupled to force sensors, such as load cells, which provide signals that are used to determine the location and amount of wheel weights required to correct an imbalance condition in the tire assembly. Typically, the locations where wheel weights are to be installed are marked on the tire and/or wheel.

In most instances, the marked tire/wheel is conveyed to a weight installing station where an operator installs an appropriate wheel weight at each location marked by the wheel balancing machine. The type of wheel weight installed often depends on the type of wheel and wheel configuration. For many wheels, including both steel and alloy wheels, “pound-on” wheel weights are used. These weights are typically installed on the edge of the wheel rim by an operator who uses a hammer or similar tool. In many applications, a wheel weight is installed on both the outside (termed curb side) and inside of the wheel rim.

For some applications, adhesive backed weights are utilized, either alone or in combination with “pound-on” weights. Examples of adhesively attached wheel weights are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,338, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

For some wheel application, weights mounted to the outside (or the curb side) of the wheel are undesirable because they detract from the appearance of the wheel. For these applications, weights may be installed on the inside rim of the wheel, as well as an inside surface of the wheel, the latter location often being termed “mid-plane.” Typically, a weight installed at the “mid-plane” of a wheel, is an adhesively attached weight.

The installation of weights on a tire/wheel assembly by an operator can be a strenuous or fatiguing operation for the operator. Efforts have been made to simplify the installation of these weights. For example, in currently available tire balancing equipment, a conveyor may be used to bring the tire/wheel assembly to an operator station. The operator station may include a plurality of bins, each bin containing a particular size and/or type of wheel weight. An indicator or display informs the operator what weight needs to be installed on the tire/wheel. The operator must then retrieve a weight from the appropriate bin and install it at the position marked on the tire assembly. The operator must then turn over the tire in order to install the required weight on the inside of the wheel. Some equipment does include turn over devices that aid the operator in turning over the wheel.

Through error or inadvertence, it is possible for an operator to select and install the incorrect weight resulting in an imbalanced tire. Attempts to reduce the chance of weight error have also been suggested in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,089 discloses a system and method for dispensing the appropriate amount of wheel weight to correct an imbalance condition in a particular tire/wheel assembly. The wheel weight dispenser is electronically coupled to the balance testing machine so that it dispenses the correct amount of wheel weight when the wheel is presented to the operator. The disclosed system eliminates the need for multiple weight bins from which an operator must select the correct weight and, consequently, simplifies and increases the reliability of the installation of corrective weights on a tire/wheel assembly.

It has been found that with presently available equipment, operator fatigue is still a problem. There have been other attempts to reduce the effort that must be expended by the operator to install the corrective weights. For example, in some types of tire balancing equipment, the tire/wheel is positioned on the transfer conveyor so that when it arrives at the operator station, the location where the first weight is to be installed is within a “short reach” of the operator. However, even with this improved equipment, the operator must often bend forward a considerable distance to install the other corrective weights and this effort is further increased if the wheel weight has to be installed at a “mid-plane” location on the tire assembly.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus for facilitating the installation of corrective wheel weights on a wheel or a tire/wheel assembly, by a weight installer.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the apparatus includes a tire/wheel handling mechanism that is mounted for movement along a path and is operative to move a wheel or a tire/wheel assembly along the path from a receiving position to a presenting position where one or more balance correcting weights are installed at predetermined locations on a wheel. The apparatus also includes an operator station that supports an operator in a confronting relationship with the tire as it is conveyed by the handling mechanism from the tire receiving position to the tire presenting position. Unlike prior art machines, the operator generally faces the tire as it is moving along the path as compared to existing machines where the operator stands next to the path of travel for the tire. It should be noted here that the term “tire” used above and in the following description in most instances refers to a tire mounted to a wheel. To facilitate the description, the invention is being disclosed as it would be used for installing weights on a tire/wheel assembly. The invention, however, can be used to correct imbalance conditions on a wheel alone. Accordingly, the use of the term “tire” does not limit the invention to applications where a tire is involved.

With the present invention, the operator station is arranged so that as the operator is facing the tire that is located at the tire presenting position, the operator is generally located in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the path of movement of the tire as it moves from tire receiving position to the tire presenting position.

According to a feature of the invention, the tire handling mechanism includes a pair of grippers for engaging a periphery of the tire at two spaced locations. Preferably, the grippers are moved towards and away from each other in order to apply a gripping force to the tire. The grippers are also preferably rotatable about a lateral axis, the lateral axis being substantially orthogonal to a rotational axis of the tire. More specifically, the lateral axis is substantially parallel to the operator plane defined above.

In the exemplary embodiment, the grippers are concurrently, reciprocally movable in a substantially vertical direction whereby the elevation of the tire with respect to the operator can change. In a more preferred embodiment, at least one of the grippers includes a rotating device for rotating the tire within the grippers about its rotational axis.

Preferably, the tire handling mechanism is reciprocally movable on a pair of tracks which define the path that extends from the tire receiving position to the tire presenting position. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of this feature, the tire handling mechanism includes a pair of columns, each column reciprocally supporting an associated gripper. In a more preferred embodiment, the columns include ball screw drive systems whereby rotation of a ball screw causes the vertical movement in the associated gripper.

In accordance with this feature, the grippers preferably include an encoder for monitoring the rotated position of the tire within the grippers so that the tire can be positioned in a predetermined rotative position by the rotating device. This enables a location on the wheel where a corrective weight is to be installed to be located at a preferred position by the operator.

According to an aspect of this feature, grippers may be rotated about the lateral axis as a function of the type of corrective weight that is to be installed by the operator.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a data storage device for storing operator preferences, so that as the tire is moved to the tire presenting position the grippers are rotated about the lateral axis in order to present the tire in an orientation preferred by the operator. In accordance with this embodiment, the rotating device for rotating the tire within the grippers about the tire's rotational axis, is used to rotate the tire so that when the tire is in the tire presenting position, a location on the wheel where a corrective weight is to be applied by the operator is presented in close proximity to the operator. This facilitates the installation of a corrective weight.

In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus also includes an exit conveyor which at least partially conveys a tire from the tire presenting position to an exit position. Preferably, the exit conveyor is located below the operator station.

According to another feature of the invention, a light source may form part of the apparatus. The light source is used to illuminate a predetermine location on the tire/wheel assembly where a corrective weight is to be installed. In accordance with this feature, the light source may be a fixed light source and the tire/wheel assembly is rotated so that a location where a tire weight is to be installed is aligned with the light source. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the rotating device forming part of the grippers is used to rotate the tire about its rotational axis until the location where a corrective weight is to be installed is aligned with the light source.

According to another feature of the invention, the grippers may include a sensor for determining the radius of a tire held between the grippers. In one embodiment, the sensor may monitor a distance the grippers move in order to engage the periphery of the tire.

According to the disclosed method of operation, at least one location on the wheel where a corrective weight should be installed is determined. An operator station is positioned for supporting a wheel weight applying operator. A wheel is moved along a path that is generally orthogonal to the operator that is in a weight installing position. The wheel is then rotated about a lateral axis (an axis that is orthogonal to the rotational axis of the wheel in order to present one side of the wheel in a confronting orientation with respect to the operator whereby the installation of a corrective wheel weight is facilitated.

In a more preferred method of operation, the wheel is rotated about its rotational axis in order to position the location on the wheel where the weight is to be installed in close proximity to the operator. If a corrective wheel weight needs to be installed on the other side of the wheel, grippers holding the wheel are rotated about a lateral axis so that the other side of the wheel is placed in a confronting relationship with the operator. Preferably, the wheel is also rotated about its rotational axis so a location where a wheel weight needs to be applied is positioned in close proximity to the operator.

The present invention is disclosed as it would be used with a human operator. It should be understood, however, that the principles of the invention can be applied to an apparatus or method which utilizes a machine-based operator or robotic device for installing the corrective wheel weights or for using a machine-based operator to machine the wheel at predetermined locations in order to correct an imbalance condition.

Additional features of the invention will become apparent and a fuller understanding obtained by reading the following detailed description made in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of tire balancing equipment that includes an apparatus, constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, that facilitates the manual installation of wheel weights on a tire/wheel assembly;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the equipment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus that facilitates the manual installation of corrective wheel weights on a tire/wheel assembly;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side, partially sectional view, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the apparatus, with portions removed for clarity, illustrating a position of the tire/wheel assembly as an operator is installing a weight in the “mid-plane” location.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the overall construction of an apparatus for balancing tire/wheel assemblies. The apparatus includes a dynamic balance testing machine 10 where a tire/wheel assembly is tested to determine whether it is out of balance. If the tire/wheel assembly is found to be out of balance, the machine 10 determines where on the tire assembly corrective weights need to be applied and the amount of weight that needs to be applied. The apparatus also includes a weight applying station or fixture 12 where the appropriate amount of corrective weights are installed at specific locations on the tire/wheel assembly as determined by the balance testing machine 10.

The balance testing machine 10 may take various forms, but in the illustrated embodiment is a dynamic balance testing machine as disclosed in concurrently filed patent application entitled “TIRE BALANCING APPARATUS,” Ser. No. 60/561,976, filed Apr. 14, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As disclosed in the above-referenced application, the balance testing machine 10 includes a test station indicated generally by the reference character 14 where a tire/wheel assembly 22 is rotated on a spindle assembly 28. During the rotation of the tire assembly, forces generated by the imbalance condition of the tire assembly 22 are transmitted to force sensors, i.e., load cells. The load cells convert these forces to electrical signals that are used to generate data regarding the imbalance of the tire assembly. This data is used to determine the amount of, and the locations for installing wheel weights in order to correct the imbalance condition. As also disclosed in the above-referenced application, once the imbalance data is acquired, the tire/wheel assembly is rotated to predetermined positions with regard to upper and lower markers which are then activated to mark the locations where weights need to be installed on the upper and lower sides of the tire assembly 22.

In accordance with the present invention, the data acquired by the balancing machine 10 regarding the locations for the corrective weights are stored and/or ultimately transmitted to the weight applying station 12 which, as will be explained, presents the tire/wheel assembly 22 to a operator in predetermined or pre-programmed orientations to facilitate the installation of the corrective weights.

FIG. 3 illustrates the overall construction of the weight applying station 12 where the corrective weights are installed by an operator. The weight applying station 12 includes a transfer/tire presenting shuttle 30 which is reciprocally movable along a track defined by a pair of rails 34. The shuttle 30 is movable between a tire pick-up position where it engages a tire/wheel assembly 22 at the conclusion of a test cycle and a tire presenting position where it orients the tire with respect to the operator to facilitate the installation of corrective weights by the operator.

The weight applying station 12 also includes an elevated operator platform 40 on which an operator stands and from which the operator installs the weights on the tire/wheel assembly, while the tire/wheel assembly is held in predetermined orientations by gripping components forming part of the shuttle 30, as will be explained. As seen best in FIGS. 5 and 6, the weight applying station 12 may include conventional weight bins 42 from which the operator retrieves weights to be applied to the tire/wheel assembly 22. The weight bins may include indicators (not shown) which are illuminated to inform the operator which weight should be retrieved. Alternately, the weight apply station may include a display 44 which tells the operator what weight should be retrieved and installed on the tire/wheel assembly.

A discharge conveyor 46, as will also be explained, receives the tire/wheel assembly released by the shuttle 30 (after the weight applying operation is completed) and delivers it to an exit location 47. A tire assembly 22′ exiting the apparatus is shown in FIG. 3. The discharge conveyor 46, which may move up and down, may take many forms including, but not limited to, a series of parallel rollers 46 a arranged on a motor driven belt.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shuttle 30 preferably includes a frame-like structure including pairs of vertical columns 50 a, 50 b, each pair of columns movably supporting associated clamp assemblies 54 a, 54 b. Each clamp assembly is reciprocally movable in a vertical direction along its associated pair of columns. Each clamp assembly 54 a, 54 b includes an associated tire gripper 58 a, 58 b, which are relatively moveable with respect to each other. At least one of the grippers 58 a, 58 b is movable towards and away from a centerline 59 of the station 12. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, each gripper 58 a, 58 b is mounted to an associated, laterally extendable and rotatable arm 60 a, 60 b so both grippers 58 a, 58 b can currently move towards and away from the centerline 59.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 3 and 4, various methods can be used to move the clamp assemblies 54 a, 54 b along their respective columns 50 a, 50 b. For example, and as schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, motor driven ball screws 53 may be mounted inside each column 50 a, 50 b. The ball screws engage threaded members 55, forming part of each clamp assembly so that coordinated rotation of the ball screws produces vertical displacement in the associated clamp assembly.

As seen best in FIGS. 3 and 4, movement in the respective arms 60 a, 60 b is coordinated so that the grippers 58 a, 58 b concurrently move towards each other in order to engage a tire assembly 22 at the testing station 14 at the conclusion of the balance test cycle. Referring in particular to FIGS. 3 and 4, each clamp assembly 54 a, 54 b includes a pair of spaced apart slides 57 which are engaged by bearing blocks 59 forming part of the grippers. Associated actuators (not shown) are operative to reciprocally move the grippers 58 a, 58 b along the slides 57.

Each gripper 58 a, 58 b includes a pair of vertically oriented rollers 62 which engage the periphery of the tire assembly 22.

At least one of the rollers 62′ is motor driven by a suitable drive source (not shown) so that when the tire/wheel assembly 22 is held between the grippers 58 a, 58 b, the tire assembly 22 can be rotated about its rotational axis within the grippers by energizing the drive motor for the roller 62′. In addition, the rotated position of the tire/wheel assembly is monitored so that the tire assembly 22 can be rotated to predetermined positions based on the data acquired by the dynamic balance machine 10. For example, one of the rollers 62 which may or may not be the driven roller 62′ may include an encoder (not shown) which is used to provide the necessary feedback signal in order to rotate the tire assembly 22 to predetermined positions prior to or during a subsequent weight applying step.

In order to accurately rotate the tire to predetermined positions, the invention contemplates the use of previously stored or measured radius data for a tire/wheel assembly 22 being held by the grippers 58 a, 58 b. The radius data coupled with information provided by the roller driven encoder (not shown) enables control of the driven roller 62′ in order to precisely rotate the tire/wheel assembly 22. Consequently, the tire/wheel assembly can be partially rotated through precise angles in order to accurately position the wheel for the weight applying step.

The radius or diameter data for the wheel being held by the grippers 58 a, 58 b can be obtained in several ways. The data may be entered by the operator; it may be measured at the balancing station and communicated to the weight apply station; or, the diameter (and hence radius) of the tire can be determined directly at the weight apply station by monitoring the distance to which the gripper arms 60 a, 60 b extend, utilizing appropriate sensors.

According to a feature of the invention, the grippers 58 a, 58 b are jointly rotatable about a lateral axis indicated by the reference character 70, in order to turn over the tire wheel assembly and to also provide a means for orienting (in the radial plane) the overall tire/wheel assembly at various angles. This is especially useful when applying adhesive weights at “mid-plane” locations on the tire/wheel assembly 22. In the illustrated embodiment, rotation of the arms 60 a, 60 b is achieved using a drive motor 71, and a drive belt 73 which drives an arm pulley 75 (shown in FIG. 3). Encoders or other motion sensors are used to monitor the position of the grippers 58 a, 58 b so that movement in the grippers is coordinated. Thus, the grippers remained aligned, even when rotating.

According to the invention, movement in the clamping assemblies 54 a, 54 b along the associated columns 90 a, 90 b, respectively is coordinated so that both clamping assemblies move together in an aligned, confronting relationship. Movement in the clamping assemblies 54 a, 54 b is coordinated using known technology, such as position sensors and feedback components which operate in cooperation with control software. Rotation of the grippers 58 a, 58 b about the axis 70 is also coordinated so that both grippers 58 a, 58 b move in unison and in an aligned relationship.

The weight applying machine/fixture 14 operates as follows. The shuttle 30 is initially driven to its tire receiving position shown in FIG. 1. In this position, the grippers 58 a, 58 b are in a spaced apart position but substantially aligned with the tire/wheel assembly 22 located at the test station 14 (FIG. 1). Preferably, the centerline 70 of the extendable arms 60 a, 60 b are aligned with the rotational axis of the tire assembly 22. At the conclusion of the test cycle, and as more fully explained in the above-identified U.S. application, an elevator forming part of the dynamic balancing machine raises the tire/wheel assembly off the spindle 28. At this point in machine operation, data regarding the imbalance of the tire has been acquired and the locations on the tire assembly 22 where corrective weights need to be installed have been determined. This data, along with data regarding the current orientation of the tire assembly 22, is then transferred to the weight applying station where a suitable controller utilizes the data to control the movement of the tire/wheel assembly in order to orient the tire assembly in operator preferred or selected positions to facilitate the application of corrective wheel weights. The activation of the shuttle and various functions of the clamping assemblies 54 a, 54 b is preselected or preprogrammed by the operator to suit his/her personal preferences or requirements.

Prior to engaging the tire/wheel assembly (which is now sitting atop the exit conveyor of the dynamic balancing machine 10), the clamping assemblies 54 a, 54 b are raised or lowered, if required, in order to vertically align the gripper assemblies 58 a, 58 b with the tire assembly 22. Once aligned, one or both gripper arms 60 a, 60 b are extended in order to move one or both grippers 58 a, 58 b towards the tire assembly 22. Upon engaging the periphery of the tire, a clamping force is generated by continuing to urge the grippers 58 a, 58 b towards the tire assembly 22. This clamping force maintains the engagement of the tire assembly by the clamping assemblies 54 a, 54 b. The shuttle 30 is energized to move the tire assembly off the discharge conveyor by moving towards the operator platform 40. It is driven there by a suitable motor or power source (not shown).

As the shuttle 30 moves towards the operator platform 40 or, alternately, after the shuttle 30 reaches the operator platform, the clamping assemblies 54 a, 54 b are raised or lowered in order to present the upper surface (or curb side) 22 a of the tire/wheel assembly 22 at a height that facilitates the installation of weights by the operator (if the tire/wheel assembly requires the application of a correction weight on the curb side). The tire/wheel assembly 22 is then rotated (about its rotational axis) within the grippers 58 a, 58 b (by the powered roller 62′) or alternately as the shuttle 30 is moving so that a location on the tire/wheel assembly 22 where the weight is to be installed is at a predetermined location. The location may also be marked by the balancing machine 10.

The present invention contemplates several methods for indicating the placement of the corrective weight by the operator. As an example, the tire assembly 22 can be rotated (about the rotational axis of the wheel assembly) so that a previously marked location for installing the weight is closest to the operator, i.e., at the six o'clock position as viewed from the operator's vantage point. Alternately, the tire assembly can be rotated (about the rotational axis of the wheel) so the location where the wheel weight is to be installed is aligned with a fixed beam of light, i.e., laser, which then provides a visual marking for the operator.

According to a feature of the invention, the clamping assemblies 54 a, 54 b may be concurrently rotated about the lateral axis 70 in order to present the wheel at an angle with respect to the operator if an angular presentation of the wheel would facilitate installation of the weight.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the lateral axis 70 about which the tire can be rotated, is substantially parallel to the operators shoulders or the plane of the operator's body. In other words, the axis 70 does not intersect the operator or a plane in which the operator stands. This provides a significant advantage because the location where a weight needs to be applied by the operator can be positioned at any height desired by the operator but, more importantly, the overall tire/wheel can be tilted (and, if need be, raised or lowered) so that an interior of the wheel can be presented in close proximity (or within a short reach) of the operator.

In the illustrated embodiment, this relationship is achieved by rotating the position of the operator platform (and, hence, the operator) 90° from the more conventional positions provided by the prior art. In the prior art, the operator often stands to the side of a conveyer that brings the tire to the weight applying station and if the weight applying station includes a tire turnover device, the axis of rotation for that device typically intersects the operator. As a result, the turnover devices of the prior art cannot readily tilt the tire/wheel assembly to present an interior of the wheel in close proximity to the operator. The present invention thus provides an apparatus for rotating the tire/wheel assembly that serves two functions. It is used to turnover the tire so that corrective weights could be installed on both sides of the tire/wheel assembly, but is also used to tilt the tire/wheel in predetermined orientations to facilitate the installation of the corrective weights.

After the corrective weight is applied to one side of the tire/wheel assembly, the operator, through a suitable signaling device such as a pair of palm switches 72 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 5) confirms that the first weight has been installed. The clamping assemblies 54 a, 54 b are then concurrently rotated about the lateral axis to overturn the tire assembly in order to present an underside of the tire/wheel assembly 22 b to the operator. The tire assembly 22 is then also rotated about the rotational axis of the wheel (by the roller 62′) so that the location where the weight is to be installed is at a predetermined location or aligned with a weight applying indicator, such as a beam of light.

The radial plane of the tire assembly 22 may also be oriented to facilitate installation of the weight. For example, if an adhesive type weight is to be installed on the interior of the wheel, i.e., “mid plane”, the tire/wheel assembly 22 may be presented at an appropriate angle to facilitate the operator reaching into the wheel to install the weight.

According to a feature of the invention, the height and orientation at which the tire/wheel is presented to an operator can vary depending on operator preferences. So, for example, shorter operators can reduce the height at which the tire/wheel 22 is presented so that the reach of the operator is accommodated. By adjusting the presentation of the tire to suit the operator, less operator fatigue results.

The invention also contemplates the storing of operator preferences so that when an operator is to begin using the machine, he/she enters an identifier which, in turn, loads his or her preferences into the machine so that during his/her shift the tire/wheels are presented at heights and distances that have been previously selected by that operator. When operators are changed, the new operator simply enters his/her identifier and from that point on, the machine presents tire assemblies in accordance with the preferences for the new operator.

It should be noted here that the present invention has been described as it would be used to install a single corrective weight on each side of the wheel. This invention, however, also contemplates the automatic positioning of the tire/wheel assembly when: 1) a corrective weight is to be applied on only one side of the tire/wheel assembly; 2) multiple weights are to be installed on one side of the wheel; and/or, multiple weights are to be installed on both sides of the wheel that may be similar or different. In short, each side of the wheel may receive zero, one or multiple weights of similar or dissimilar types. For each weight to be applied, the disclosed apparatus will orient the tire/wheel assembly as described above, and pause until the operator indicates that the weight has been applied, i.e., by pressing the palm switches 72.

When the all of the corrective weights have been installed, the operator presses the palm switches 72 and the tire/wheel 22 is preferably rotated about the lateral axis 70 to a discharge orientation, i.e., with the outer or curb side 22 a of the tire/wheel assembly facing upwards. In the preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 6, a portion 46′ of the discharge conveyor 46 is raised to receive the now balanced tire/wheel assembly 22. The clamping assemblies 54 a, 54 b are then concurrently retracted to release the tire assembly 22 onto the discharge conveyor 46′ whereupon conveyor 46′ is lowered and the tire assembly is conveyed to the exit location 47 on the machine. As the conveyor portion 46′ is being lowered the shuttle 30 is returning to the tire receiving position where the next tire assembly is engaged and presented to the operator for the installation of corrective weights.

Elevating the conveyor portion 46′ to receive the tire assembly decreases the cycle time for the apparatus because the shuttle 30 can immediately return to the test station 14 to pickup the next tire/wheel. Without the elevatable conveyor portion 46′, the clamping assemblies would have to fully drop to release the tire and then move to a raised position before the shuttle 30 could move to the test station 14.

With the present invention the application of corrective weights to tire/wheel assemblies is greatly facilitated. Unlike prior art weight applying equipment, the orientation of the tire/wheel assembly 22 can vary depending on the personal preferences of the operator. In addition, the marking of the wheel weight locations utilizing ink-based or paint-based markers may be eliminated. In addition, the rotatability of the tire within the grippers 58 a, 58 b minimizes the extent to which the operator must reach in order to apply the weights, thus, substantially reducing operator fatigue.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that when the required machine throughput is higher than what can be achieved by a single operator, or at a single station, prior art machines have employed multiple weight applying stations or have conveyed the balanced wheel in its inverted position to an additional station which returns it to its normal orientation. The machine of the present invention can be easily adapted by those skilled in the art to operate in accordance with these principles employed by previous machines.

Although the invention has been described with regard to wheel weights applied by a human operator, the invention also contemplates the application of wheel weights by robotic systems. Since the disclosed apparatus can precisely position and orient the tire/wheel assembly, so that the location where the wheel weight is to be applied, is known precisely, automated equipment could be adapted to directly apply the wheel weights to the tire/wheel assembly 22. In addition, this invention contemplates the balancing of tire/wheel assemblies by machining, i.e., milling or drilling, portions of the wheel assembly in order to correct an imbalance condition. As indicated above, the disclosed apparatus is capable of precisely positioning a tire/wheel assembly so that a location where either weight has to be applied or weight has to be removed to correct an imbalance condition is precisely known and, therefore, this apparatus can be used to correct tire/wheel imbalance using machining operations, rather than just the installation of corrective wheel weights.

It should also be noted here that in the illustrated embodiment, the clamp assemblies 54 a, 54 b are vertically movable along their associated columns 50 a, 50 b. In addition, both grippers 58 a, 58 b concurrently move towards and away from each other in order to engage a tire. The invention, however, contemplates constructions in which the clamp assemblies are not required to move vertically or are required to move in the vertical direction only slightly. This can be achieved by proper selection of exit conveyer heights and operator platform heights. In addition, it is possible to construct the clamping assemblies so that only one gripper needs to extend in order to engage a tire.

The present invention has been disclosed in connection with the application of corrective wheel weights on a tire/wheel assembly. It should be understood that the principles of the invention can be used as part of an apparatus for correcting imbalance conditions in a wheel to which a tire has not yet been mounted. In addition, the principles of the invention can be applied to an apparatus in which imbalance conditions on a tire/wheel assembly or a wheel alone are corrected by machining (i.e., milling, grinding) predetermined locations on the wheel in order to correct the imbalance condition.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes to it without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention has hereinafter claimed. 

1. An apparatus for facilitating the installation of balance correction weights on a tire that is mounted to a wheel, comprising: a) a tire handling mechanism mounted for movement along a path and operative to move said tire along said path from a tire receiving position to a tire presenting position where a balance correcting weight is installed at a predetermined location on said tire/wheel assembly; and, b) an operator station defining an operator position that supports an operator in a confronting relationship with said tire as it is conveyed by said tire handling mechanism from said tire receiving position to said tire presenting position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said operator station is arranged such that when an operator is facing a tire located at said tire presenting position, said operator is located in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of said tire as it moves from said tire receiving position to said tire presenting position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said tire handling mechanism includes a pair of grippers for engaging a periphery of said tire at two spaced locations.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said grippers are movable towards and away from each other in order to apply a gripping force to said tire.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said grippers are rotatable about a lateral axis, said lateral axis being substantially orthogonal to a rotational axis of said tire.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said lateral axis is substantially parallel to said operator plane.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said grippers are concurrently, reciprocally movable in a substantially vertical direction whereby the elevation of said tire with respect to said operator station is changed.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one of said grippers includes a tire rotating device for rotating said tire within said grippers about its rotational axis.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said operator is a human operator.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2 including a data storage device for storing operator preferences, such that when a tire is moved to the tire presenting position, said grippers are rotated about said lateral axis in order to present said tire in orientation preferred by the operator.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said tire rotating device rotates said tire such that a location on said tire where a corrective weight is to be applied is presented in close proximity to the operator in order to facilitate installation of said corrective weight.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tire handling mechanism is reciprocally supported on a pair of tracks which define said path that extends from said tire receiving position to said tire presenting position.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tire handling mechanism includes a pair of columns, each column reciprocally supporting an associated gripper, each gripper reciprocally movable in a vertical direction along its associated column.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said columns include a ball screw drive system whereby rotation of a ball screw causes vertical movement in the associated gripper.
 15. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one of said grippers includes an encoder for monitoring the rotative position of said tire within said grippers.
 16. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said operator is a human operator and shoulders of said operator are generally parallel to said lateral axis of rotation of said grippers when said operator is in a confronting relationship to a tire that is at said tire presenting position.
 17. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the position to which said tire is rotated by said grippers is a function of the type of corrective weight that is to be installed.
 18. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the position to which said tire is rotated by said grippers is dependent on preferences of the operator.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an exit conveyor which at least partially conveys said tire from said tire presenting position to an exit position.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said exit conveyor is located below said operator station.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a light source for illuminating a predetermined location on said tire/wheel assembly at said tire presenting position.
 22. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said tire rotating device rotates said tire held by said grippers such that a location on said tire where a corrective weight is to be installed is aligned with a light source.
 23. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said grippers include a sensor for determining a radius of said tire.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said sensor monitors a distance said grippers move in order to engage said periphery of said tire.
 25. A method for installing balance correcting weights on a wheel that mounts a tire, comprising the steps of: a) determining at least one location on said wheel where a corrective weight should be installed; b) providing an operator station for supporting a wheel weight installing operator; c) moving said wheel along a path that is generally orthogonal to an operator that is in a weight installing position; and, d) rotating said wheel about a lateral axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of said wheel in order to present one side of said wheel at a confronting orientation with respect to said operator whereby the installation of a corrective wheel weight on said wheel is facilitated.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein said wheel is rotated about its rotational axis in order to position a location on said wheel where a weight is to be installed, in close proximity to said operator.
 27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of rotating said wheel about said lateral axis until another side of said wheel is in a confronting relationship to said operator, such that another corrective wheel weight can be installed at a predetermined location on said wheel. 